Before we delve into this piece, let’s make one thing crystal clear; your home is yours, so this isn’t a prescriptive list of the do’s and don’ts – this is a simple industry overview which gives some thought to some outdated ideas. Here’s a few things that an interior designer Cheshire wouldn’t be in a rush to recommend to your home.
All the Furniture Against a Wall
It might make sense to push all your living room furniture up against a wall, but it’s a bit overdone as an aesthetic. These days, designers enjoy creating more exciting walkways and are even utilising the sofa to break up open-plan spaces.
Overly Heavy Curtains in Every Room
Now, don’t get this the wrong way round; a luxurious drape can look completely phenomenal… just not in every single room of the house. You need to try to keep an element of soft and breeziness in certain spaces, so choose your statement curtain locations with care. We think that living rooms and bedrooms work well with a little luxury whilst dining rooms need a bit of a softer light.
On the flip side, some designers will tell you to opt for no window dressings at all; there are definitely some rooms that need a bit of privacy, so if you like the popular minimal approach, try sheer curtains or pale blinds instead.
No Extra Textiles
This is a bit like blasphemy in the interior design world. Layers are so important, embracing this approach to textiles will always bring you more benefits than simply popping some pretty furniture in a room and nothing else. A couple of cushions and throws add some much needed softness to a room.
Pointless Tiny Rugs
Rugs are great, we can’t deny that; however, we don’t all have the space to be installing huge ones all over the place. It’s a big pet peeve of interior designers when customers buy a small rug and pop it in the middle of the room where it sits, unanchored by any furniture. Choose something a little larger and slip one edge under the sofa to create a more cohesive look.
Furniture that isn’t Proportional
If you have rooms that are on the smaller side, but love large furniture, that’s not necessarily a problem; just make sure that you can actually move around. Interior designers will freely admit that there are no restrictions or rules when it comes to furniture sizes but maintaining easy access is vital, so have a good grasp on proportion.
One-Colour-Fits-All Approach
We’re all for colour coordination, but going mad with just one hue is a real big no! A little bit of contrast goes a long way and it doesn’t have to be as dramatic as you think it does; put a toe out of your comfort zone. Why not try adding a little bit of pattern just for good measure?